Coaching Staff​
Sunday: Kyle Hopkins
Monday: Hannah Clinger
Tuesday: Jack Kangas
Wednesday: AJ Burt
Thursday: Jordan Harkins
2020-2021 Officers
President: Marco LoPiccolo
Vice President: Jordan Harkins
Treasurer: Kurt Schlenker
Meet Coordinator: Shannon Dixon
Apparel: Anna McCarty
Fundraising/Sponsorship: Kassidy Pastor
Social/Outreach: Annie Varatharajah
Risk Manager: Connor McNeill
Nationals Coordinator: Katie McGreal
Nationals Committee: Hrithik Basu and Mitchell Mullholand
Former President: Braden Kane

Meet the officers!

  1. Name/position: Marco LoPiccolo / President
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best stroke: Distance Freestyle and Butterfly
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I started swimming when I was about 5 years old on my club team back home for the Elgin Pelicans in Illinois and then I also swam for Huntley High School for 4 years. I will going into my third year as a member of CSOSU.
  5. Why did you join the club team:  I joined the club team cause it seemed like the perfect place to meet a whole bunch of fun people and make new friends along with continuing my love for swimming.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: Easily one of the best moments was going on travel meets like the University of Virginia Meet where I got to ride in a car for 7 hours with my boys and then have a fantastic time at the meet.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: My goal for this upcoming season is to keep improving in the events I love to swim as well as encouraging people to come to practice and make sure everyone who joins the team feels welcomed and thinks of the team as a home. 
  1. Name/position: Jordan Harkins / Vice President
  2. Year: Sophomore
  3. Best stroke: Backstroke/IM
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: 11 years; 10 years with Countryside YMCA torpedoes including 4 with Kings High School, and 1 with CSOSU 
  5. Why did you join the club team:  I joined the club team to meet new people and stay active, and continue my love for the sport 
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: It’s hard to pinpoint a single memory. The overnight meets are my favorite as they are great for team bonding and really strengthen the sense of camaraderie.  
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: My goal for this year is to attend nationals and final in multiple events.
  1. Name/position: Kurt Schlenker / Treasurer
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best stroke: I like starts...
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I have been swimming for a total of about 13 years now. I started with my club team, Wapakoneta Wahoos, for 10 years. And then I was on my high school team for all four years. This will be my third year swimming with Club Swimming at OSU.
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined this team because swimming has been apart of my life for so long and I wasn’t ready to give it up quite yet. I also joined to help me stay in shape and to keep off the freshman 15.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: My favorite memory is skipping half the warm up because we were all busy talking to each other.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: I would love to see more participation from all the members of the team throughout the year.​
  1. Name/position: Shannon Dixon / Meet Coordinator
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best stroke: Freestyle
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I started swimming in middle school with a local club team, JDSAquatics, in Melbourne, Florida, then joined my highschools team for 4 years. This will be my third year on CSOSU!
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined the team to make friends and still be able to eat copious amounts of junk food. By joining the team I have met a group of fantastic people that I am proud to call my family.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: After every practice a bunch of us would eat dinner at Scotts around 9:00 PM. While riding the high from the workout we would all eat a bunch of food and laugh way harder at jokes than we should have.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: One goal I have for the upcoming season is for the girl’s team to beat Georgia Tech at Nationals!​
  1. Name/Position: Anna McCarty, Apparel Coordinator
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best Stroke: Butterfly
  4. How many years have you been swimming/for what teams: Swam on Dayton Raiders since 12 and swam on Oakwood High school team
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined because I wanted to continue swimming in college and have met so many wonderful friends
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: Hosting nationals at OSU and meeting some of my best friends at Ohio State
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: I would love to continue to meet new members and continue to have fun at practice and at meets :).
  1. Name/ position: Kassidy Pastor / Fundraising Chair 
  2. Year: Third Year
  3. Best stroke: Backstroke (but I do IM mostly)
  4. How many years have you been swimming/what teams: I have been swimming for 15 years! I was on the Greater Columbus Swim Team of Ohio (GCSTO), as well as the Canal Winchester High School varsity team for four years. 
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined the team because I wanted a way to continue my swimming career without having to have the demands of a full on collegiate athlete. I love swimming and can’t imagine my life without it!
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: My favorite memory from club swimming was the 400 medley relay at Nationals last year! It was honestly insane the amount of cheering and screaming and we got second which was pretty sweet! Also, every travel meet gives me some of the best memories! ​
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: For the girls team to get top 3 at Nationals!
  1. Name/position: Annie Varatharajah / Social/Volunteer Chair
  2. Year: Senior
  3. Best stroke: I don’t drown so I think that's pretty impressive.
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: 13 years, swam for 5 different teams, and CSOSU is by far the best team I’ve been on😉
  5. Why did you join the club team: Swimming+amazing people+practicing in a really nice pool+traveling to different states&cities+apparel=why wouldn’t you join?
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: I was swimming in an event where I was attempting to get the national cut. I got it and the team was on the sideline cheering for me. Only a few people knew I was attempting to get it so it surprised me that so many people were cheering for me. Still smiling thinking about it :)
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: I’d love to make CSOSU a more diverse team, and I also want to continue to promote the inclusive and supportive environment the team already has! ​
  1. Name/position: Connor McNeill / Risk Manager
  2. Year: Sophomore
  3. Best stroke: Sprint Freestyle & Breaststroke
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I have been swimming for about 13 years now, all of which began with signing up for my city’s summer rec team. I swam for Lake Shore Swim Club throughout middle school, then for Avon Lake High School for 4 years before coming to Ohio State.
  5. Why did you join the club team: To stay in shape and make friends. It can be hard to find your place here at Ohio State since it is such a large school, but joining club swim helped me find mine!
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: Megatable! Every night after practice, a large group of us go to Scott dining hall and get some food! While the food is pretty good, the conversations are exceptional!
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: ​To become more involved in this amazing team/organization and make Nationals in an event!
  1. Name/position: Katie McGreal / Nationals Coordinator
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best stroke: Free and Back
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I have been swimming for around 13 years on and off, I started swimming for city pool's summer team and swam with them all through grade school.  I then swam for my high school, Beaumont, and this will be my third year swimming at Ohio State! 
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined club swimming to meet new people and to continue my love for swimming! 
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: I have so many great memories from club swim, but one of my favorite memories was cheering during finals at 2019 Nationals. It was so cool to have Nationals at our home pool and it was so exciting to cheer everyone on, and watch them swim so well!!
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: ​I hope for our team to come back strong and for us to add a lot of new members, and of course for our team to have a great season, make lots of memories, and do well at Nationals! 
  1. Name/position: Hrithik Basu / Nationals Committee
  2. ​Year: 3rd Year Chemical Engineering
  3. Best stroke: ​Breaststroke
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I have been swimming for 6 years now. I swam for the Anderson Barracudas and the Turpin High School Varsity team for 4 years and CSOSU for 2 years going on 3.
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined the club swim team because I really love the sport and I thought this would be a fun way to stay in shape, compete and make great friends along the way. And so far it has done so swimmingly!
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: Competing at Nationals freshman year was an unforgettable experience. From going best times to the sleepovers, to cheering for finals and celebrating the men’s 1st place finish, I’d do it all again.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: I hope to build a team culture that is as close in the pool as it is out of the pool and to continue being the best we can be
  1. Name/position: Mitchell Mullholand / Nationals committee.
  2. Year: Junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering
  3. Best stroke: Freestyle mainly distance
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I’ve been swimming since I was 8 (past 12 years) for Fremont Ross and Sand Otter Swimming
  5. Why did you join the club team: I decided to join CSOSU because I enjoyed swimming and the people who do it and I thought it might be a good place to make friends while doing something I loved.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: My favorite memory from club swim is probably going to all the meets because it’s a fun journey with friends to new places.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: My goal for this upcoming season is to get to know some of the swimmers that are outside my current circle of friends
  1. Name/ position:  Braden Kane / Former President
  2. Year: Alumni
  3. Best stroke: I'm really only good at starts.
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I've been on and off competitive swimming for 16 years. I started out swimming with my summer club team, the Madeira Marlins. I went on to swim for Madeira High School and the Blue Ash YMCA of Cincinnati, Ohio. I swam with CSOSU for four years, and am currently looking at joining a Master's program in Cincinnati!
  5. Why did you join the club team: As a freshman, I wanted to meet and make friends with people who share my love for swimming and fitness.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: I swam the 400 IM for the first time ever as my last race of college, which I was only able to finish because I had almost the entire team behind my lane cheering me on from start to finish.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: As an OSU alumni, I hope to still maintain some sense of involvement with the current team and to help bridge the gap between our current and former members of the team.

Meet the Coaches!

  1. Name/Day: Kyle Hopkins / Sunday
  2. How many years have you been coaching/ what teams: I've coached with the Findlay Area Swim Team for three years (from 2013-2015) and have been writing workouts for CSOSU for about the past three years, as well.
  3. Were you ever a swimmer? If so, what was your favorite stroke/ event: Absolutely!  I'm definitely a swammer now, but have been swimming for the last 19 years.  My favorite events are pretty all over the spectrum: 500 free, 100 back, 200 IM, 100 IM (my Nationals lineup the last few years) but I usually swam everything, including a little breast when I wanted everyone to get a good laugh in 
  4. Why did you volunteer to coach our team: I volunteered to coach for CSOSU because I love the team and what club swimming means to so many people, experienced swimmers and not.  I swam with the team for 5 years through the spring of 2018 and was an officer for 4 of those years.  It's a great club that has a little bit of something for all types of swimmers and people.  Coaching is a great way to advocate for the sport I love while doing what I can to help the team get the same enjoyment from the sport that I always have.
  5. What quality is most valuable for a swimmer to have and why: I think this answer will sound a little like what Coach Jack would say (he'll be happy to know he rubbed off on me finally), but I have to say understanding is the most valuable quality.  By that I think of each person understanding what they hope to get out of swimming with the team: training for Nationals, recreation, social, a break from studying, etc. And within that an understanding of how to use their coaches and resources to get to what they deem success.  Our coaches aren't here to be dictators, after all it's the hot tub club!  We just want to help everyone enjoy themselves in one of the best facilities in the country.  
​
  1. Name/Day: Hannah Clinger / Monday
  2. How many years have you been coaching/ what teams: I’ve been coaching for 4 years now, with OSSC (Ohio State Swim Club) and some summer league teams
  3. Were you ever a swimmer? If so, what was your favorite stroke/ event: Yes! I’ve swam since I was 6, and I still swim for CSOSU. My favorite event is the 100 Breast!
  4. Why did you volunteer to coach our team: I really want to be a good influence to the team and foster an environment for everyone to love the sport, so I think coaching is a great way to do that.
  5. What quality is most valuable for a swimmer to have and why: I think adaptability is key. Being adaptable is essential in being a good teammate, which is important even though swimming is mostly considered an individual sport. It is important to be adaptable and willing to experience different coaching styles, practices, and events!
  1. Name/ Day: Jack / Tuesday
  2. How many years have you been coaching/ what teams: About 25 years - I started as a swimmer with the team - oh, awhile back. I have ONLY been a coach for this team, and that is fine by me.
  3. Were you ever a swimmer? If so, what was your favorite stroke/ event: Yes, once a swimmer - always a swimmer - even though it may not be current. I was (and still am) a distance and 400 IM'er - just happen to be out of  practice at the moment.
  4. Why did you volunteer to coach our team: It just sort of happened - over time (a long time), I went from creating workouts to being a coach.  
    I am still learning what that means and that is what is challenging (and fun) for me.  It is a challenge to figure out when to interrupt your flow and when not to.
  5. What quality is most valuable for a swimmer to have and why: Curiosity and a hint of  "bravado" (aka swagger, panache, confidence),
  • To have expectations (albeit realistic ones) for yourself (and for the those around you and for the coaches too). That you use every practice to "get" something (a time, a perfect stroke or a state of body/mind), and if it doesn't materialize - there is the next practice.
  • The internal and external smile - to remember why this sport has been fun, in the past, and will continue to be fun - as long as we want it to.
  • That this club is ALL of you, get to know those around you (I have always been surprised by the quality of "people" who swim, at all levels, and especially as adults). It is there if you want to find it.
  • The ability see the big picture - that no one set or practice defines us. We can swim for so many different physiological benefits (too many to list!).
  • That punching and churning the water is a healthier response than verbally (or even physically) punching someone in the face.
  • ASK questions of coaches and other swimmers, this is not a top down organization (there will be no yelling)
  1. Name/Day: AJ Burt / Wednesday
  2. How many years have you been coaching/ what teams:  I've been coaching for 8 years, 6 of them as an assistant coach for the Wyoming Seadragons and three as head coach for the Cincinnati Country Club
  3. Were you ever a swimmer? If so, what was your favorite stroke/ event: I swam for 16 years, my last 4 for Wittenberg University. I did a little bit of everything, but specialized mostly in breaststroke and distance IM.
  4. Why did you volunteer to coach our team? Since becoming a swammer, I've really missed being involved in the sport, so coaching for the team is a great way for me stay active in and engaged with swimming. As a D3 swimmer I was also able to be passionate about lots of other extracurriculars, so it's fulfilling to work with swimmers who seem to pride themselves in both staying involved with their sport as well as lots of other forms of student involvement.
  5. What quality is most valuable for a swimmer to have and why:  I don't think I can or would place it on one thing because each member of a swim team operates so differently and each unique approach to the sport adds value(s) that influence and make a well-rounded unit. However one common trait I've found in great teammates is determination because it keeps the forward mental momentum necessary to succeed at any capacity.​